FINCHforum

We had gotten our 3 male zebra finches from our local small pet store. All 3 had been housed together with no problems and when we brought them home, shortly after we had gotten our 2 doves as well and built a large aviary for them all to be in together. They have plenty of perches, dishes, and cuttle bone for them all to be together.

Recently, I had bought our males each a small nest hut thing as they kept going in our doves nest. Since doing so, 2 of our males have been bonded and comfortable enough to start nesting in the same area...Well the one smaller male who has never had a problem with the other birds, we noticed he has no feathers on the back of his neck. Are the other 2 finches bullying him? We noticed them in the doves nest taking the lose feathers out and bringing them in their own nests...Could it be that the 2 other finches that are nesting together are older then the 3rd finch and are interested in breeding so they are plucking his feathers?

We have separated our little male for the time being, and put him in his old cage with his own nest box, perches, dishes etc. How can I ensure that his feathers grow back? Can I put him back in with the other birds after his feathers come in? Or should I wait until we have mates for the potential older finches and then let him go back in after? Mainly though, how do I get him back into proper plumage condition?

I would come to the same conclusions as you have. A bit bullying. You have to be careful with it. Another solution might be to add another bird.

You might want to add a bit of orchard grass, timothy grass or coco fiber at the bottom of the aviary so that the zebras do not continue to remove nesting material and feathers from the doves and each other. They are trying to line the nests you gave them, if no nesting material is provided or they think something else better will do they look for material elsewhere. Since the two males bonded and are building they look at the odd man out and they want him to stay away from their nest.


this is great article on plucking..... http://zebrafinchsociety.co.uk/index.ph ... &Itemid=68

I am not an expert, however I have read several posts that three is not a good number for birds. Especially Zebra finches. Perhaps you could get a mate/partner for the 'odd man out' (love that Cindy)

I do have a question though, why are you providing a nest for males? I am always tempted to give everyone a nest, but have been advised to avoid nests unless breeding. I am not always the best at taking advice and have learned the hard way

I hope everything works out for your little guy! any pictures?

No zebra expert but giving them nest may have stimulated the nesting behavior and now they are looking for material to build. From what I've read over the years on here plucking feathers is common in zebras looking for feathers. Maybe offer some feathers from a feather pillow if you decide to leave the nests in there. Personally I would remove the nests.
good luck